Additional Special Housing Areas to be considered

Council will meet at 10am on Thursday 30 June 2016 to consider seven Special Housing Area (SHA) applications, and an amendment to the maximum number of storeys for one gazetted SHA.

The applications on the meeting agenda are:
• 19 and 21 Beach Road (Recommended)
• 371 Wakefield Quay (Recommended)
• 81 – 83 Haven Road (Recommended)
• 42 Domett Street (Recommended)
• 1 and 5 Tahunanui Drive (Recommended)
• 35 Farleigh Street (Not recommended)
• Saxton (Option one) (Not recommended)
• Saxton (Option two) (Not recommended)

The applications on the agenda have been assessed by Council officers to investigate whether they not only meet the SHA eligibility criteria, but that they align with Council's strategic planning documents and have the required infrastructure capacity.

Applications continue to be assessed against the Nelson Resource Management Plan rules, and the Resource Management Act. The objectives of the Housing Accord are also taken into account.

SHAs are designed to increase housing supply. They are one of several initiatives developed under the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013 (HASHAA), which will be repealed in part in September 2016. Under HASHAA, Council can recommend a SHA to the Minister of Building and Housing who recommends it to Cabinet for approval via an Order in Council. So far Council has recommended 10 SHAs which have been passed by Cabinet.

Once gazetted, developers must demonstrate that their proposal meets the following SHA criteria:

• Be predominantly residential.

• Meet the qualifying development criteria set for that SHA:

o Maximum height

o Maximum number of storeys

o Minimum number of housing units

Nelson house prices continue to rise. In May 2016 Nelson City had a median house price of $454,565 a 10.2 per cent increase from May 2015 ($412,534). The Housing Accord is designed to be a commitment by Nelson City Council and the Government to improve housing supply in Nelson.

30 June is the last opportunity for council to consider officer recommendations on SHAs. This is so recommendations can be given to the Minister for approval by Cabinet within the required timeframes. In addition, a resource consent application for development of an SHA must be received by Council prior to the repeal of the legislation.

Mayor Reese says, "Council has been actively promoting the Housing Accord since it was signed. We have committed to considering all applications that officers have assessed. With a repeal date in September, realistically, this is the last opportunity to advance new areas under the Housing Accord."

"In entering into the Housing Accord Nelson City Council has taken on board its responsibilities to promote positive supply of housing choice within our region. The challenge in front of us all is to encourage development of land that is suitable for homes for young families, mums and dads, grandparents and people living on their own. The Housing Accord has offered us one additional tool in the tool box.

"It remains to be seen whether the SHA applications that Council will consider on 30 June 2016 provide any options that Council is prepared to recommend for development."

ENDS

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